Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-09-27
MIR. CRANE ACQUITTED.
Proceedings in the Police Court To.
day.
JUDGE SMELL HOLDS THAT NO BAD MOTIVE WAS
PROVED BY THE PROSECUTION AND LET'S Mr.. CRANE
OFF.

JUDGE SMELL HOLDS THAT NO BAD MOTIVE WAS
PROVED BY THE PROSECUTION AND LET'S Mr. CRANE
OFF.
The case Of ex-Water Registrar John n. Crane,
who was charged by Inspector Holcombe OF the
water department, with violating District ord1-
nance In removing the top Of an air-valve box on
street. not far from the scene Of the late breaks in
the Waterman, at 21st street, was taken up In
the Police Court to-day. Several inspectors and
other employees Of the Mater department were in
court long before the case was called for trial On
account OF their presence In court an order was
given for suspending the work on the main until
the Witnesses or portion of thsm. returned there
MI. Crane entered the courtroom and took seat
attention OF the court by Mr.. Padgett, and MeserA
A. B. Williams and Chas. King appeared for the
defendant, and pleaded mot guilty"
THE TESTIMONY.
Thomas Fitzgerald, an employe of the water
department. testified that last Thursday he left
the work at the main with Mr.. Costello. He was
going after drink when he saw Mr.. Crane raise
the top OF the valve box and look In. Witness
boxes?"
not understand what he said witness said there
were four boxes near 18th and streets, and wit
ness saw the DEFENDANT raise the tops OF TWO Of
but held them on one side In almost perpendicu-
lar position:
mo, SIR" answered witness.
Daniel costello. foreman in the water depart
ment, testified to seeing the defendant at the
boxes, and superintendent Hayden, or the water
department, TESTIFIED that he never gave the de-
fendant permission to REMOVE the lid OF the valve
box.
"Are you the inspector and tapper7" asked Mr..
mo, SIR" answered witness.
MIR. Williams said that the information charged
q no
inspector and Taper.
'.Is there such an Official as inspector and tap
peri" asked Nh. Williams.
witness.
"Who is he?" asked counsel
edwin F. Warner answered witness. Witness
said he was not plumber; that he was an en-
gtneer but had great deal to do with water pipes.
"Are these valves exposed?" inquired the judge.
mo, Sir" answered witness, Iney are covered
with an iron box.
THE JUDGE ON THE QUESTION OF MOTIVE
The judge said that unless the prosecution ex-
pect to show that Mr.. Crane had some bad motive;
that he did 1t for some bad PURPOSE and not that
he did 1t through mere curiosity and replaced 1t,
he would not hastily md MI. Crane guilty Of an
ofense.
"That's what the court has to decide, said Mr.
Padgett. 1.-THE ordinance charges removal. and
its for the court to construe the word remove.
They do not expect to show, nor do they contend,
that Mr.. Crane had any bad motives"
The Judge said he did not think that Mr.. Crane
had removed it The word means to take away;
It means that you must take it away from where
It is placed for its use. II 1t had been separated
with fraudulent purpose it is one thing, but II 1t
ID simply lifted through curiosity 1t Is different.
OBJECT OF THE Law.
MI. Padgett said that this ordinance was enacted
to prevent persons from raising the lids and to
prevent injury being done to the water works
The District Is also liable for damages, and II
every citizen has the right to lift these lids the
District will be subjected to the possibility OF q
1tNfff do non0 hn hAn nuhS IN Droor,
left on the box and some damage caused thereby.
He thought the only question was whether the
lifting OF the lid one inch or six inches constituted
a removal, as charged In the Information.
The judge said that II he was forced to decide
the question he would decide 1t against the Dis
tr1ct. But
TO KEEP SOME FOOL FROM NJuRNa THE BOXES
he would dispose OF the case by taking the per-
sonal recognizance OF the defendant. In so dis
posing OF the case. he would say that he exon
Grated Mr.: Crane from all improper intentions in
n1ting the lid.
MIR. williams said he would rather have the
court dispose OF the case. Mr. Williams said that
the testimony shows that this law was not in any
manner violated. The act described by the wit
ness, he SAID, does not constitute removal 1t
simply shows that he lifted up one side OF it. The
law, he SAID does not punish persons for lifting up
one side OF me trap, but for removing it. 1t was
moved but not removed, and therefore there was
no violation OF the ordinance He said that Mr..
Crane was ready to explain the matter If the court
was not fully satisfied with the testimony.
The Judge said he would be glad to hear Mr.
Crane explain the matter.
Mr.. CRANES STATEMENT.
Mr.. Crane testified that he was water registrar
| for the District at one time, and was acquainted
| with stOp-valves and other boxes. He said that
| in the morning he was speaking to Mr. Larman
about these boxes. .
Mr. Padgett said he objected to the converse
ton.
The judge said that the conversation was not
testimony, but he would let Mr. Crane tell it. in
| order that he might explain the matter
After the conversation with Mr. Larman in the
morning, continued the Witness he went out driv-
| ing with Mr.. John McCauley. They were discuss
ing the water question and driving near 18th and
streets, ne notced four boxes in the street. and
he got out OF his buggy to explain them to bis
friend he raised the lid of one box in the manner
described by the witness Fitzgerald and found 1t
was stop valve. He lifted q second one in the
same manner when the witness Fitzgerald arrived.
The latter spoke to him about lifting the lid and
he explained to him why he lifted it. He went
away and thought no more OF the matter until the
| sued. He remembered when the law, under which
this prosecution was brought, was passed It was
passed TO punish mischievOus boys and other per
sons.
Mr. Crane said that he could 70 out and in IF.
teen minutes could md more than one hundred
boxes with no covers on them.
"That Is all the more the reason why this case
The Judge dismissed the case.
Why They Get Married Here.
VIRGINIA COUPLES WHO SAVE MONEY BIT COMING nc
WASHINGTON TO GET sPLICkn
The excursion party from Richmond yesterday
| brought with them nearly a dozen naraona vhc